Chattanooga Sports Ministry hosts eighth annual summer soccer league for inner-city youth
Chattanooga Sports Ministries will host the first games of the annual summer soccer league for at-risk youth June 9.
This season will mark the eighth summer soccer league for the ministry, which attempts to reach out to inner-city youth through athletic engagement and mentoring.
This June, a total of 150 youth, divided into 12 teams, are expected to be involved in the soccer league.
In addition to games each Saturday of the summer break months, the youth involved (ages 9 to 14) will practice twice a week and have weekly outings, mentoring, spiritual formation and life skills training.
The teams will also spend several days at a summer camp in North Carolina before the final games of the season July 28.
“We couldn't be more excited to get CSM's eighth summer underway,” Ben Johnson, executive director of Chattanooga Sports Ministries, said. “We have a great group of coaches lined up … After seeing the program expand when we opened up to boys last summer, we're eager to continue building relationships with our players and get even more kids out on the field.”
Games will begin at 9 a.m. in the Highland Park Commons, followed by a "kickoff cook-off" at 11:30 a.m.
Player applications can be downloaded at www.csm.is and are due June 4. Participants in the league are charged a fee of only $25 for the entire summer in an effort to make the summer program as affordable as possible for players and their families.
Those interested in supporting CSM by volunteering, becoming team parents or financial supporters can contact CSM at info@csm.is.
